Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USYEMTr172

Incident date

July 4, 2018

Location

مرخة, Merkhat districts, Shabwa, Yemen

Geolocation

14.681653, 46.144336 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, Al-Masdar Online, suggested that a US drone strike had targeted alleged AQAP militants in Merkhat, in Shabwa governorate, on the evening of July 4th 2018. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

“The source told Al-Masdar Online that the air strike targeted the militants in the Merkhat area last Wednesday evening [July 4th], which led to the killing of the extremist militants and the burning of their car completely. He pointed out that the dead are armed men, among whom there are no leaders.”

It is possible that this source refers to another alleged US drone strike in Shabwa on July 6th 2018 (USYEMTr173), or that some of the sources listed in the later event refer instead to a strike on July 4th.

In a statement on recent strikes in Yemen issued by CENTCOM on August 30th 2018, no mention was made of a US action on July 4th.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Merkhat (مرخة) area, within Shabwa (شبوة) governorate. This could refer to either the Merkhat Al Olya (مرخة العليا)or the Merkhat Al Sufla (مرخة السفلى) districts. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for these areas are: 14.681653, 46.144336.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Merkhat (مرخة) area, within Shabwa (شبوة) governorate. This could refer to either the Merkhat Al Olya (مرخة العليا)or the Merkhat Al Sufla (مرخة السفلى) districts.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

US Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3497

Incident date

June 29, 2018

Location

المسيفرة, Al Massifra, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.632508, 36.338914 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Civilians were possibly killed and/or injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Massifra on June 29th, 2018, according to Shaam News Network.

SNN wrote that “the Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched airstrikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighbourhoods of Daraa and on the towns and villages of Nawa, Tafas, Kahil, Sheikh Saad, Giza, Massifra, Saida, Gharia, Gharbia and Sharqiya and Um Al Mayan, resulting in the deaths and injuries of civilians”, implying that civilians were possibly killed and/or injured in Al Massifra.

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3495

Incident date

June 29, 2018

Location

شيخ سعد, Al Sheikh Saad, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.835822, 36.037259 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Civilians were possibly killed and/or injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Sheikh Saad on June 29th, 2018, according to Shaam News Network.

SNN wrote that “the Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched airstrikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighbourhoods of Daraa and on the towns and villages of Nawa, Tafas, Kahil, Sheikh Saad, Giza, Mseifra, Saida, Gharia, Gharbia and Sharqiya and Um Al Mayan, resulting in the deaths and injuries of civilians”, implying that civilians were possibly killed and/or injured in Al Sheikh Saad.

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3489

Incident date

June 28, 2018

Location

سهوة القمح, Sawha Al Qameh, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.5973, 36.364489 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians from the same family, including two women, were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Al Sawha al Qamah, Dara’a governorate, on June 28th, 2018, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

The SNHR wrote that “four civilians from the same family, including two women, were killed as Syrian/Russian warplanes fired a missile on Sahwet Al Qamah village – known as Al Sahwa village – in Daraa governorate eastern suburbs, on June 28, 2018.”

Airwars did not find any other sources reporting this incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3482

Incident date

June 27, 2018

Location

الغارية الغربية, al Ghariya al Gharbiya, Dara'a, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed in alleged Russian raids on Al Ghariya Al Gharibya in Dara’a, Syria on June 27th, 2018.

Shaam Network reported that “Activists confirmed that the air, artillery and rocket attacks on the village of Dara’a today led to one martyr in each of al Massifra, Saida and al Ghariya al gharbiya .”

No further information is available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3458

Incident date

June 25, 2018

Location

درعا, Dara'a countryside, Dara'a, Syria

Airwars assessment

An unknown number of civilians was reportedly killed or wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the eastern countryside of Dara’a governorate on June 25th, 2018, according to Free Deir Ezzor.

Free Deir Ezzor wrote on Facebook that “Russia targets and burns displaced civilians in Dara’a’s eastern countryside as they travel to areas they think are safer.”

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3436

Incident date

May 19, 2018

Location

مخيم اليرموك, Al Yarmouk Refugee camp, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.473938, 36.300631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Smart News Agency reported that three civilians, among them one child and a woman, were killed after alleged Russian airstrikes on Yarmouk refugee camp, Damascus governorate, on May 19th 2018.

Smart wrote that “two women, one old, and one child were killed by the shelling that targeted a residential basement in the camp. [Local activists] said that the victims were from Deir Ezzor and resided in Al Tadamon district, but fled to the camp to escape the fighting and the shelling.”

Currently, further details are unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3424

Incident date

May 4, 2018

Location

الباغوز, Al Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.43221, 40.99226 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Airstrikes allegedly conducted by Russian forces reportedly killed three civilians in the village of Al Baghouz on the Syrian-Iraqi border in Deir Ezzor Governorate. The strikes took place on May 4th 2018.

Smart news was the only source to report these strikes, and cited in its summary that it received information from “a local source” – noting that “three civilians were killed on Friday morning raids by aircraft likely to be Russian on the village of Al Baghouz at the borders of Syrian-Iraqi near the city of Abu Kamal.”

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]